School millage on ballot Tuesday

CAMDEN — Camden-Frontier Superintendent Scott Riley said as Tuesday special election draws close he has continued to field calls about the school district’s millage renewal.

The current levy is set to expire in 2014. The levy brings approximately $643,349 to the school system on a yearly basis.

Riley said there continues to be confusion in the community about why the school system is asking for 21 mills versus 18 mills.

The current millage was approved for 21 mills for operating purposes by the 2009 and 2010 elections, so the renewal of the millage would be a renewal of what is already in place.

Riley said although 21 mills were approved by the voters the school district cannot levy more than 18 mills.

“If property values begin to rise faster than inflation, the district’s operating millage would be subject to reduction, also known as ‘rollback,’” said Riley. “If the district only had 18 mills in place and rollback were required, the district would not receive its full per pupil foundation allowance without another election because the state’s calculation of foundation allowance assumes you are levying a full 18 mills, and the state does not make up the value of a rollback.”

By voting for the 21 mills the district is assured of full funding.

“It is cheaper to vote the full 21 in one election, instead of running two separate elections, one for 18 mills now and one at a later date to restore millage lost to rollback,” he said.

The mills in excess of 18 will absorb any future rollback, unless the rollback in total is greater than 3 mills.

Voters in the Camden-Frontier School District are eligible to vote. Voters can vote for the millage at the Woodbridge Township Hall 2250 E. Montgomery Road from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Absentee ballots can be cast at the Hillsdale County Clerk’s office during business hours today.